Springbok Greats - Naas Botha

The Naas Botha of today is a well-known rugby commentator on the South African Supersport Channel, but in his day as a player he was one of the most feared match-winners in the game. Botha was best known for his deadly boot - whether he was punting the ball, place-kicking or drop-kicking, he stood in a class of his own.
Such was his brilliance that it didn’t take the British press long to dub him “Nasty Booter” when the Lions toured South Africa in 1980. They found out just how nasty he could be in the third test in Port Elizabeth when Botha, under immense pressure, put a touchline conversion between the uprights in wet conditions to give the Springboks a 12-10 victory and an unbeatable three-nil series lead.
Botha was more than just a points machine, however. His tactical understanding of the game was outstanding and his ability to dominate a match with the boot beyond compare. Reading the game like a chess master, he would keep the opposition continually on the back foot, and was always a step ahead of the rest because he could put what was in his mind into practice.
Kicking with equal ease with left or right foot, he could put the ball into touch, or between the uprights, or into the hands of a breakaway wing, seemingly at will.
To categorise Botha as a kicking flyhalf alone would do the man a great injustice. Blessed with superb hands, Botha got a backline moving very quickly, and the fact of the matter is that backlines playing with him scored a good many tries. Although he seldom took the ball up in the manner of the modern-day flyhalf, he had an eye for a gap and was a deceptively fast runner, resulting in a good number of tries for the blond-haired flyhalf or those in support of him.
Probably, though, Botha will best be remembered for his uncanny ability as a drop-kicker. In the wink of an eye he could change the course of a game with a beautifully struck drop goal, and trying to defend against it was impossible given his ability to make the snap drop-kick without warning and with either foot.
In one match against Natal in 1992, he dropped five goals. He was an extremely elusive player, with an excellent jink. Every opponent he faced knew he was the kingpin they needed to unsettle, but seldom did they manage to lay a hand on him.
Botha was hated by fans of teams that his Northern Transvaal side faced in provincial competition - and adored by those same supporters when he turned out for the Springboks. There was a similarity between Botha and the legendary New Zealand captain Sean Fitzpatrick in that opposition fans hated him, but all would have loved to have him in their side.
Today the former Bok captain remains the highest scorer in Springbok history, and had he been playing in recent years, with far more matches, there is no doubt that he would have far exceeded his points total of 312. As it was, he was in his prime and played for many years when South Africa was isolated from the rest of the world, denying him the chance of achieving even greater success on the world stage.
He played for Northern Transvaal from the late 1970s into the early 1990s, and during that time the Blue Bulls won the Currie Cup six times, in large part due to his contributions. He captained the province a record 128 times and scored a record 2 511 points, including 1 699 points in the Currie Cup.
Botha also has the distinction, uncommon among rugby players, of having a rose named after him. Long may “Rosa Naas Botha” bloom, to remind us of one the greatest Springboks and flyhalves the world of rugby has ever seen

[@jeffreydupreez3052]

Baas Naas... What a marvelous player at his time. Big respect to Baas Naas Botha. We at the Blue Bull camp just loved him... ❤❤😊😊

[@brettwilkinson9529]

Naas Botha was one in a billion player.I rate him the greatest match winning player in the history of the game. No one else comes close.

[@jacqloock]

Fact.

[@henniebester9437]

Really ? Not in the modern era, no way. He really struggled in the era fresh out of isolation - but, granted, most of his team mates did too and he was obviously past his prime. The game had changed and the dictating, kicking no.10 type of play behind a huge was pack really shown up, especially by dynamic multiphase play of the Wallabies under Bob Dwyer. Dwyer actually said that SA rugby was left behind by the 10 man pattern of play in which Naas excelled so much. The Aussies didn't really rate him. The best Bok fly half of the modern era would be Henry Honiball, a *totally* different type of No. 10 with an outstanding test record.

[@brettwilkinson9529]

@@henniebester9437 What the hell are you talking about ? Do your research. Era coming out of isolation was 1992. Naas was playing for the Boks back in 1980. He was well past his best by the time he reached 1992. Not many players are still playing test match rugby 12 years later.

[@psychopathtrg9053]

Hennie do you even watch or understand rugby lmao

[@dantewalters5209]

Best and most accurate kicker of a rugby ball, I have ever seen. Be it goalkicking or line kicking.

[@flightofthefatman]

I remember being in awe of him as a kid back in NZ...wonderful memories - well now they are but back then he terrorized us like Hugo Porta did and they are the two players that have been etched in my mind forever. It seemed like it was the All Blacks vs Naas Botha. NAAS BOTHA IS AN ABSOLUTE GIANT AND LEGEND!!!!

[@noleenpeake2164]

True,I remember him against the AB/Kavaliers back then

[@anfg7376]

er....boks were banned no?

[@chrisfalcon9804]

Naas is a legend. The only reason why some hated him was is because he either sank the opposition or because of his lack in tackling.

[@user-ez9xi7rr4q]

Baas Naas was n: een keer in n leeftyd speler! N Onaantasbaar geniale speler!

[@user-zp1ku3gs6p]

Doc Craverns comments... incredible... ❤

[@vanvandervyver2506]

Not only a brilliant rugby player but a true legend of both Northern Transvaal and Springbok rugby, who just happens to be a personal friend of mine too. A genius on the field and a gentleman of the field. Thank you Naas for your contribution in South African rugby and for friendship, it is much appreciated.

[@RealRugby]

Van van der Vyver Awesome. When I was growing up only one player mattered and that was Naas. I wanted to play exactly like him. He is easily the greatest flyhalf South Africa has ever produced. His genius and match winning ability will never be rivalled. Send our regards to him!

[@psychopathtrg9053]

Vyver sure sure and Naas was my grandfather 😂🤣😂🤣

[@LionXV1]

@@psychopathtrg9053 Why would you assume he's lying? Pro/Test level rugby players are popular and have loads of friends. Especially back in the amateur days whenever they had to work regular jobs with everyone else.

[@paulterry1335]

Iconic player 🏉👊

[@adrianboshoff1582]

For Doc Craven to say Genius... to a certain player. Well.. only now do we realize... and still await... so long now... for the next genius.

[@mannab2975]

Reading the comments makes me feel SO proud of this genius!! I still say he was the very best player in rugby, ever!! He is also a gentleman and keeps to himself. Excellent commentator on rugby games with equally brilliant analysis thereof!! This "Nasty Booter" comment just made me laugh so lekker!!! Naas, jy is my hero! Trots om ook 'n Botha te wees!!

[@Deontjie]

He was a match winner. But he killed the game.

[@mannab2975]

@@Deontjie Kyk al sy games Deon! Hy was strategies, geniaal en wys in sy besluite! Wen het hy ons laat wen! Ja, skop was nie altyd so lekker nie, maar hy het nie ATYD geskop nie!

[@rorysullivan4913]

Greatest match winner the rugby world has known. Sadly, like so many great sportsmen in South Africa, he played during the isolation period. Springbok rugby would have dominated world rugby with Naas.

[@frankvendetta9230]

If we only had another player like him "'I'm going on the field to win" things would have been so different even if it means to dropkick to win.

[@digitaldemocracyai-rob]

Real enjoying this series

[@nevillelamberti]

Naas was the greatest..

[@Tracks777]

Brilliant work! Keep it up!

[@Tracks777]

Nice video man!

[@stephenjackson6934]

what a pity this wonderful player could not play in the world cup

[@yackfou2412]

Pot a whity!

[@Mzansi74]

Naas is baas!

[@williepanic]

ek se vir jou

[@mykie77]

The player the héros of my childhood

[@user-te3jc3sl7r]

Its debatable whether world rugby ever saw the best of Nass Botha. Though no fault of his own the sports boycotts meant he played so few tests between 1980 -1992 for the Boks. But his goal kicking and general play against the 1980 Lions, 1981 ABs, and 1986 Cavaliers marked him as one of the greats of Bok rugby.

[@MegaMegamann1]

What was wrong with Morne's tackle, clear wrap and not at all late. Awesome domination.

[@RealRugby]

Absolutely nothing wrong with Morne's tackle. Naas said the same.

[@davidpetersen1323]

I didn't pay attention to rugby in the 80's, but now I see,why the friends( I've made, when I moved to jhb. In 1995, )hated him so much.

[@rlsuth]

I was a HUGE WP fan in the 70's and 80's and hated Naas with a passion when WP played NT. However, when SA were playing, it was a different story. Funny how he would have been an outstanding flyhalf for either WP or NT as he could really run with the ball when he wanted to. It just wasn't the NT type of game though so he isn't remembered for that.

[@walt3299]

I was also a WP growing up. Naas was actually a very good strategist who could read the game far better than most. His kicking ability was in another class. He actually was probably the 2and or 3rd fastest runner on the field in most of his games. He knew how win matches. It's a great pity that there was no beauty in the way he played. Most of his passes were hospital passes. He was scared to tackle and was always the first to throw a punch. I could never understand why he was selected for SA over Erol Tobias,but I guess he was the perfect inside centre at the time. After Gerald Bosch, we had to wait till '95 to find true great flyhalves.

[@mykie77]

Naas, it s first physiqual, the blond angel of south africa

[@dawiebenjamin3249]

KOBUS BURGER AND FAFFA KNOETZE TOOK HIM OUT IN MID AIR . HE WOKED UP TO DAYS LATER IN HOSPITAL

[@sakabula2357]

So two red cards?? Ps..why are you screaming?

[@jameswilson1984]

Late tackle by Morne Du Plessis? Botha still had the ball in his hands for fuck sake.

[@roberttolich1885]

god i miss our contests why does political crap affect my adversary my enemy i am hurt i want to play the boks and i want him to speak Afrikaners and im a proud maori

[@RealRugby]

robert tolich If you have any idea how much it would help if other countries were vocal against our current selection policies. Everyone is turning a blind eye and World Rugby is playing dumb... where are the boycotts today against SA?

[@danielshalala2525]

I

[@danielshalala2525]

76th

[@mrttripz3236]

Yeah I agree with you. Rugby selection should always be based on merit not race.

[@luisbaez87]

Southafrica to create for Affrikaner people. Descendent of europe dutch Germany n and France.

[@TheToolnut]

It was and remains a disgrace that S.A weren't allowed to play in the R.W.C in 1987 and 1991.

[@stanmonzon5788]

Well you know you weren’t being very nice to black people back in ‘87. Sure things were improving by ‘91

[@TheToolnut]

@@stanmonzon5788 🥱🥱🥱

[@amina-pr8xt]

It was and is a disgrace that black people weren't allowed to play in same clubs and teams as whites. Were did the "politicization of sport" start? With the apartheid or with the reaction to it (sanctions,...)?

[@TheToolnut]

@@amina-pr8xt One of those Countries that imposed sanctions on S.A had one of, if not THE worst race relations record in history.

[@amina-pr8xt]

@@TheToolnut which you mean?

[@zennor_man]

What? how can anyone criticise the perfect rugby tackle....what absolute rubbish...Botha was caught cold & paid the price...

[@bettyholtz4093]

Even today he doesn't know what a forward pass is he didn't come near Jannie debeer record he he

[@RealRugby]

What record by Jannie De Beer?

[@psychopathtrg9053]

He still couldn't answer u haha what a noob

[@bushbabybotha9943]

@@RealRugby most drop kicks in a test.

[@grobariza]

Naas was light years ahead of Jannie ek kan net skop en drop de Beer

[@annetteelliott1494]

Not that it matters but never and still don't like him. He has a son he doesn't want to know....not nice.

[@RealRugby]

Yeah, you are right, it doesn't matter

[@jaytelso3921]

Naas Botha, like all his peers playing in the green and gold, is/was an illegitimate Springbok, representing a country with an illegitimate government. There were many black flyhalves that could not only kick better (with both feet), but could defend like a demon and attack like a beast! Tell that story to SAs youth. Stop misleading them.

[@RealRugby]

Why am I misleading anyone by featuring a player that played during isolation? Go somewhere else for politics, this is a rugby channel. Give me names and video footage of any player and I'll feature them. This isn't a one sided "story". Our history is what it is. You nor I can change that

[@greenblood5640]

@@RealRugby I believe up to today you haven't been supplied with any footage. And today we are the legitimate RWC champions

[@bushbabybotha9943]

That is your fantasy, there were no quality black players back then! The best black players would have been murdered by most high school teams! You need to stop lying to the little black children!